Perilous
Times and Climate Change
In Texas' worst drought on record, trees dying by the
millions
Ron Billings / Texas Forest Service via AP
Drought stricken trees are visible in a residential area in
Austin, Texas. The full effect of Texas' record-breaking drought
and scorching hot summer on the state's trees will be revealed
next spring, with a changed landscape emerging in many places.
By Julie Tam, NBCDFW.com
The National Weather Service has officially declared last year as
the driest on record in Texas and the second hottest.
Meteorologists predict the situation won't improve much this year.
That means water restrictions will continue, and we'll lose
millions of trees.
Record-setting heat and little rain in 2011 has left North Texas
in a severe drought. The water level at Lake Lavon is down 12
feet.
“It is a challenging time, especially to bring awareness to our
consumers and businesses how critical our drought has impacted our
reservoirs,” said Denise Hickey, spokesperson for the North Texas
Municipal Water District. “As we're planning to move through this
drought period, we're also planning and initiating additional
strategies to bring additional sources online.”
The diminished water supply forced many counties to put residents
under water restrictions indefinitely.
The Texas Forest Service says the drought may have killed as much
as 10 percent of the state's trees. That's 500 million trees.
Some trees in your yard might look dead, but tree experts say
don't cut them down yet. They still might come back in the spring
and you should continue watering them.
“A lot of trees are dormant and a lot of trees go dormant early
when there's a drought situation. And they kind of do that for a
defense mechanism,” said Matt Grubisich, urban forester for the
Texas Trees Foundation. “Most municipalities still let you use a
soaker hose, and that is a very adequate way to be able to still
water your trees.”
Forecasters expect the drought to last through at least June.
“It's going to get worse before it gets better,” said Grubisich.